Calls fly in thick and fast to police after wedding company investigation is launched

POLICE have received an influx of angry calls from heartbroken couples who have had their big days ruined by a wedding company which closed unexpectedly.

More than 25 devastated brides and grooms-to-be have been in contact with officers from Warwickshire Police Force, since it launched an investigation into a series of alleged frauds by Nuneaton company ASD Special Occasions.

It has only been one week since police issued an appeal urging members of the public who felt they had been a victim to get in touch and the number of people ringing is rising daily.

A spokesperson for the police said: “More and more people are coming forward to help police with enquiries, with 25 calls initially but with that figure rising all the time.

“Officers will speak to everyone who comes forward as part of their investigations.”

They are keen to speak to anyone who has paid for products or services from ASD Special Occasions but has not yet received them.

Concerned couples can contact PSI 9299 Adrian Clark on 01926 415 000, extension 3154. He said: “We would be grateful if those who have lost money as a consequence could please contact the police rather than post comments and information on social media sites so that we can collate the information and take appropriate action based on the facts.”

It is currently not known exactly what has happened to ASD Special Occasions, which was based in Queens Road, but circulating rumours suggest it has gone into liquidation.

The company closed without warning, leaving orders unfulfilled and paid up customers out of pocket.

A number of disappointed couples have spoken to the News about their experience and many have revealed that they have lost hundreds of pounds after paying for services for their big day which they will never receive.

They have been left to piece their weddings back together by purchasing the products for a second time from different companies, at extra cost.

Desperate pleas from those who have been left high and dry have been made in a bid to trace Darrel and Scott Starkey-Gettings, who own the company, but at the time of going to press no contact had been made with the pair and appeals continued to go out on social networking sites to locate them.

Reports had also been made to Trading Standards.

A Facebook group called ‘ASD Help’ has also been set up to help those who have had their special days ruined make other arrangements.